Apparatus for forming concrete domes



Sept. 29, 1942. P. coRBETTA 2,296,984

APPARATUS FOR FORMING CONCRETE DOMES Filed March 16, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 29, 1942. l.. P. coRBETTA APPARATUS FOR FORMING CONCRETE DOMES Filed March 16, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 QLM Sept. 29, 1942. l.. P. coRBETTA 2,296,984'

APPARATUS FOR FORMING' CONCRETE' DOMES Filed March 16, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 29, 1942. L., P. CORBETA APPARATUS FOR FORMING CONCRETE DOMES Filed March 16, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 29, 1942. l., P. CORRETTA APPARATUS FOR FORMING CONCRETE DOMES Filed March ie, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 29, 1942. l.. P. coRBETTA APPARATUS FOR FORMING CONCRETE DOMES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 16, 1942 1 muy Patented 29, 1942 oFFIcE Y APPARATUS FOB FOBMING CONCRETE DOMES Louis r. Corbetta, Harrison, N. Y. Application March 16, 1942, Serial No. 434,940

8 Claims. (Cl. 25-11.8)

This invention relatestoa magazine, shelter or storage, and to a method ofand apparatus for constructing the same.,A

An object of this invention is to'provide an improved dome shaped magazine which is adapted to be constructed `out of.concrete and whichmay be coveredwith earthI to the desired depth so as to permit concealment of the magazine.

A further object -of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus bymeans of which the magazine may be easily .and quickly constructed. A further object, of this inventionv is to provide a magazine of this kind which is formed with relatively thinwallsf which upon an explosion within the magazine will y upwardly rather than laterally due to the vfact that the outer yportions of the magazine are more deeply coveredwith earth than the top thereof.

Tothe foregoing objects` and others whichmay hereinafter appear, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of partsas will befmore specifically referred to and illustratedinthe accompanying drawings, but it isto :be understood that changes, variations and modiiicationsmay be resortedtowhichfall 25 within the. scope ,of the invention In the drawings: y AFigure 1 is a' detail front shaped concrete structure constructed according .a fragmentary top plan offthe de- Flgure 4A soplan, view of an extension of Figure 4 showing the opposite end f the frame structure,

Figure 9 is a sectional view .taken-'on the" line 9-9 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevation ofthe I tie structure used for connecting the upper and? lower beams together,

in the upper portion of the structure, l

Figure 12I is -a sectional viewt ken on'thefline I2-I2 of Figure 11;4 f

yFigure 11 is a vertical section of the ventilator- Figuro 1s is a dtail sideeievaaon'of the-venti- Figure 14 is a fragmentary sidelelevatio'n partly in section of thejadiustingy means 'forthe brace" used for the supporting posts,

Figure 15 is at fragmentary vertical 'section of the lower end of the supporting posts,

Figure 16 is asectional view Ii-IG of Figure v15, amr` Figure 1'1 is a fragmentary side e1evation of the ing tol an .embodiment ofthis 'inventions Thel concrete floor 2l maybe reinforced in any suitwings .they numeral 2li r or bottom wall 'of ai taken on th'elineable manneriand as shown in Figure 2-.is=of cirelevation of a domey .35 The surface ofthe ground on which thev hous-` `structure used Figure 5 an enlarged fragmentary vertical f section l'of -the' frame structure vs hovvingzthe con- 1,

crete formsv crete;

-Figure' 6"is a enlarged scale,

Figure 6A isa fragmentary verticalsectio of thev lowerlportmn of the struemiro shown in F1g,

view siinar to 'Figure 5 but, onen o 'l isafsectional view on thel line/J a vfragmentary `larrview of the,joint betwvihermfaen f cular configuration. vThe .floor 20 includes a lcentral body 2Iwhich'is formed inthe axial ytoian embodiment of'this invention-'showing the 3 uter marginal portions of the body 2| are also `structure covered with'earth,

formed with a downwardly oifsetthickened por-A tion 23, thereby.- yproviding an annular space-24 within which gravelor other loose adapted to be positioned. e

ing, to be hereinafterdescribed is positioned', is preferably acut a/way'for the desired depth -and material 2511sy smoothedV out 'as at. 26` so as to ,provide anat' surface.

The outer marginal` portions of the'iiat surface, are then recessed'as= at llfinlthe form of an annular recesswhich is disposed below..,.th

offset portion 23 of thexbottomowall-ZI. ,o posi-v tioningof .the gravel ori-pervious material V25 below' `r the Y bottom :2li` l providesf'a means whereby'y the? i portion. o

moisture1may flow;- beneath the' bottom .wallfffi andthismoisture will then yflowV downwa'rdlyrinto thev annular i well l orf space.v dened: by: the offset of the outer marginal portions thereof is this manner the tie plate 54 may be securely fastened to each of the overlapping ends of the .beams 43 and 44 'I'he upper ends of the radial beams 42 are secured as by welding or other suitable fastening means to a centrally disposed cylindrical sleeve 51. The sleeve 51 is substantially longer than the height of each beam member 42, so ,that a portion of the sleeve 51 will extend downwardly below theconcrete after set- 33 has an entrance 35 by means of which access ymay be had to the interior of the housing. The

entrance 35 is formed by a pair of side walls 36 which are vertical and in parallelism and which extend outwardly from the housing 33.

' A top wall 31 is connected to the upper ends of the entrance side walls 3B and an upwardly extending flange or ledge 33 is formed at the 'forward end of the top wall 31, so as to provide a means for retaining dirt or other loose material on the upper side of the top wall 31`. A forwardly extending plate 39 is formed integral with the bottom wall and extends forwardly from the entrance 35. A pair of triangularly shaped side walls 43 are disposed in upstanding relation with respect to the plate 33 and extend forwardly from the entrance side walls 3I.

A door 4I ishingedly mounted at the forward end of the entrance 35 and is disposed at the rear of the triangular side wa1ls 4ll.v The triangular side walls 43 provide a means for retaining the dirt or other loose material which covers the housing 33, so that the dirt will not enter thespacebetween these side walls and will not v contact with the door 4| or preventy operation of this'door.

'Ihe housing 33 has'embedded therein a plurality of radially arranged reinforcing beam members generally designated by the numeral 42. The beam members 42 are preferably constructed I' ofy an upper longitudinally-bent I-beam 43 and a lower longitudinally bent or curved I beam 44. The beams 43 and 44 have the web 45 thereof vertical and this web is preferably formed with a plurality of openings 43 through whichthe plastic concrete is adaptedto engage. The beams 43 and 44 may be formed in any suitable manner, such as by rolling, fabrication or the like. 'I'he lower end of the beam 43` overlaps the upper end of the beam 44 as shown more clearly in Figure 8.' These overlapping beam ends are-tied together by means of a tie plate 41 which engages the bottom flanges of the beams 43 jand 44.

The plate 41 may befo ed as an angle plate having a depending side 3 which extends downwardly from the beams V43 and44. The plate 41 is providedwith `a pair ofspaced apart openings 49 and 50 within which L shaped clamping meme bers 5| and 52' are adapted to engage. The

clamping members 5I and 52 are of like construe-f tion, and each includes an upper side 53 engaging in one of the openings of the web 45 ofan I beam; and the opposite side 54 ofthe clampingv gated slot 55 within which a wedge-55 is adaptedv 4to engage. The wedge 5G at'its upper side is adapted to bear against the bottom side of the tie plate 41 and the lower inclined edge of the wedge 56 bears against the 'lower-end of the slot 55.` In

ting of the concrete and will also extend upwardf ly from the upper side of the concrete, as shown more clearly in Figure 6. The sleeve 51 provides a ventilating opening by means of which the interior of the housing 43 may be properly ventilated.

The lower ends of the lower beam members are secured as by welding or other suitable fastening means to an angle shaped base member 53 which is circular in configuration and extends entirely about the lower end of the housing". The angle member 53 has a vertical side 59 bearing against the inner side of each lower beam member 44 and the lower horizontal side 63 of the angle member 53 forms a metal base which rests on the upper side of the bottom wall 20.

An upstanding tubular member 6I rises from the upper side of the housing 33 and at its lower end encompasses the sleeve 51. The tubular .member constitutes an air duct and includes an inner cylindrical Jacket 62, an outer jacket. 53, and insulating means 54 disposedbetwee'n` the two Jackets 32 and 33. A bottom wall 55 connects A Ventilating hood structure generally desigt nated as 53 is secured to the upper end of the duct 5|. 'I'he hood 83 includes a cylindrical sleeve 33 which at its lower end' engages withinv the duct 5|, and is secured therein by fastening devices 13'. An inverted cup-'shaped hood mem#-y ber 1| is secured `to the upper end portion 'of the l sleeve. 33, being of a diameter substantially greater than the outer diameter of the. sleeve 69 and secured to thel sleeve 53 by-means of a plurality of radially disposed webs 12. An annular flashing member 13 is secured'to `the outer side ofthe 'sleeve 33 andL engages about th'e upper-end portion ofthe duct 5I, so that water or other fluid will be prevented from entering the duct 6I.

In orderV toprovide a means whereby any elecl tricity, such as lightning or static electricity, may

` be grounded and thereby dissipated, I have provided a metallic electrical discharge rod 14 which extends upwardly from the topA wall l15 of the hood 1I. The rod 14` extends downwardly through the interiorr of the Ventilating hood member 33 and is secured at the rlower end 16 thereof on lone of the fastening .members4 B1, so that there willl be a direct or electrical connection between the electrical discharge member 14 and the material reinforcing beams 42. r

The beams on reinforcing members 42 are tied together against circumferential movement by means of a plurality of annular reinforcing rods or members4 11.`which engage on the upper sides.

of the beams 42, and which are.welded or otherwise ilxedly secured to-thejbeams 42. The reinforcingmembers 11 also provide a reinforcing means between thebeams 42 for reinforcing the concrete of which the housing 33 is formed.

The housing 30 is constructed by initially disi posing an inner dome shapedl form generally designated as 18 on the upper side of the floor or bottom wall 20. The inner form v18 includes a lower form member 19 and an upper form member 80. The form member 80 at its lower edge forms a continuation. of the lower form 19 and,

' if desired, may be formed as an integral part of the lower form member 19. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart upright bracing members 8| are disposed interiorly of the form 18, and each` bracing member includes a vertically disposed leg 82 which is secured at its lower end to a horizontal base angle member 83. An upwardly and outwardly inclined member 84 is secured at its lower end to the connecting member. l83 and secured at its upper end asrby welding or the like to a -plate 85. The vertical leg 82 is also secured as by welding or other suitable fastening means to the plate 85. An intermediate connecting member 86 is connected at the opposite ends thereof to the bracing members 82 and 84.. v

An angle plate 81 is secured as by bolts 88 to the upper end of the plate 85 and bears against the lower sides of the overlapping portions of the beam members 43 and 44. The central portion of the inner form 18 is supported by means of a central post 89 which is preferably of tubular construction. The post or upright bracing member 89 at its lower end is secured to a base plate 90 having a bar 9| secured thereto and formed with slots 92 for adjustably receiving securing bolts 93. A vertically disposed rod or bar94 is embedded ,in the bottom wall 20 in the axial center thereof and extends upwardly through an opening 95 formed in the lbottom plate 90. The post 89 at its upper end-.has secured thereto a collar or sleeve 96. The sleeve or collar 96 has secured thereto a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart eye members 91 with which the upper ends of a plurality of circumferentiallyarranged angled bracing members 98 are adapted to be secured.

The bracing members 98 are constructed of an upper tubular bra-cin-g member 99 `and a lower tubular bracing member |00.- The two bracing members 99 and |00 are connected together by means of a threaded sleeve |0| having handles |02, and` preferably the adjacent ends of the bracing members 99 and |00 are provided with right and left hand threads, so that ad'-l of the outer lower form member |09.

base plate |04 securedby fastening members |05 1 to the bottom wall 20. In practice there are three of the bracing members 98 secured to the post 89. An annular plate |06 is mounted on the upper end of the collar or sleeve 96 and is formed at its upper side with a second -plate |01 having a diameter less than the diameter of the plate |06, and of sufficient diameter to engage within the sleeve51. If desired, the top plate |01 maybe welded or formed integral with the plate e |06. The inside form 18 is provided with an opening |08 within which the sleeve 51 engages and the plate |06 is larger in diameter than the opening |08, so that the inside form 18 will rest on the upper side of the plate |06.

An outer lower form |09 is disposed in outwardly spaced relation to the inner lower form 'i9 and is of a height substantially equal to the height of the inner form 19. The lower edge of the outer form |09 is adapted to rest on the upper side ofthe bottom wall 20.

" In order to provide a means whereby the'plasin confronting relation. The upper or inner con-- vergent ends of the beams and H2 are welded or otherwise xedly secured to 'an upper longitudinally arcuate plate H3. The -construction of the frame structure is the same on each side of the Aupper plate H3 and the description of one side of the frame structure will apply equally as well to the description of the other side of the frame.

The two channel members |H are connected together by a plurality of Vcrossed vor intersecting bracing bars H4 which are welded or otherwise xedly secured t the lower flanges of the channel imembers-Ill. Transversely extending bars H5 extend between the adjacent ends of the bracing members H4. The outer or lower ends of the channel members are connected together by a -bottom plate H6, and the plate H6 has secured to the lower side thereof\bolsters or bearing members H1.

, Wheels H8. are carried by shafts H9 journalled to the bolsters or bearings H1- and the wheels H8 are adapted to engage on the, apron or ledge 34 which is disposed outwardly of the outer formmember |09. structure comprising the pairs of frame members and H2 may be rotated about the form member |09 by means of a power member |20 which is connected by gearing |2| to the shaft H9. While the power member |20 is herein described as an electric motor or the like, this power member may be in the form of a hand operated power means whereby the frame structure may be manuallyfrotated during the filling and shaping of the plastic concrete'forming the housing 33. A plurality of vertically spaced apart plates |22 are secured between the outer lower portions of the channel members Hl and constitute steps which terminate at a point slightly above the outer edge The post 89 constitutes a pivot member for the frame structure and preferably the upper end of the postor pivot member 89 extends upwardly above the sleeve 51 and has xedthereto an annular race plate |23. The plate |23 opposes an upper race plate |24, and ball'bearings |25 are interposed between the two plates |23 and |24. A lower housing member |26 is disposed below the plate H3 and encloses the lower race plate |23. An upper housing member |21 is disposed on the upper side cf the plate H3 and encloses the upper race plate |24. The two housings |26 and |21 are securedV together by fastening devices |28 in the form of bolts or the like,

If desired, the framel A. concrete receiving hopper generally designated as |39 is disposed above the plate ||3 and is open at its upper end. The hopper |39 is provided with downwardly inclined opposed walls |3| having gates |32 for controlling the flow ofplastic concrete through discharge openings |33 formed in the walls I3|. The hopper |39 is provided with a :dat bottom wall |34, and al ring |39 is fixed to the lower sideof the bottom wall |34 and engages about the upper housing member |21. hopper |39 is held against movement relative to the plate ||3. The hopper |39v is held in upstanding position with respect to the frame struc ture by means of a plurality of outwardly and downwardly inclined guy wires or rods |39, which are secured at their upper ends. to eyes |31 carried by the hopper |39 and are secured to eyes |33 fixed to the beams or channel members and H2.

A pair of oppositely extending troughs |39 and |49 are mounted between the pairs of channel members ||I and ||2, and extend from a point adjacent the ring |35 downwardly and outwardly to a point-spaced upwardly a slight distance from l the upper edge of the outer form member |99.

The two troughs or chutes |39 and |49 are of 1 like construction, and each is constructed in the form of a U-shaped trough or chute member shown more clearly in Figure 7.

The bottom wall |4| of each chute is secured secured'as by detachable fastening means |49v to the side wall |42 in a position with the gate |44 inclined to the length of the chute I 39 as shown in Figure 4. In this manner a selected gate' |44 may be swung across the chute |39 so as to thereby direct the plastic material from the chute or trough |39 onto the upper side of the inner form member 19. The position of a gate |44.across the chute or trough |39 will prevent the plastic concrete from flowing out of the open lower end of the chute or trough |39.

In order to provide a means whereby the 'piasticconcrete engaging lon the upper side of the inner form member 18 may be leveled or smoothed off, one channel member of each pair of channel members and |I2 has secured to the outer side thereof a screed plate |46. The screed plate |46 on the channel member is disposed oppositely from the screed plate disposed on the outer side of a channel member ||2. The screed plate |46 extends upwardly from substantially the upper edge of the outer form member |99 and may be bent obtusely to position the upper portion thereof along the outer side of a channel member |29 as shown at |41. The upper end of the screed extension |41 terminates at a point substantially in line with the axial center of the pivot or post member 99. l In carrying out the method of construction of the housing hereinbefore described, the radially arranged longitudinally arcuate reinforcing beams 42 are initially mounted on the upper side of the oor 20 and the post 99 secured in position. The bracing members 9| are also secured to the 10 Inthis manner the lower end of the l floor 29 and to the beams42. The inner form structure 19 is then put in position in spaced relation to the lower sides of the beams 42. The outer form |99 is then positioned in outwardly spaced relation to the outer lower form 19 leaving an open space at the upper end of the outer frame member |99 within which the plastic concrete is adapted to be poured as it flows from the troughs or chutes |39 and |49.

The concrete is poured `into the hopper |39 and initially the frame structure ||9 is rotated with the gate members |44 in substantially parallel relation. with the adjacent side wall |43 of the chute or-trough |39. The gates |32 may then be moved to an open position to permit the concrete to flow into the chutes or troughs |39 and |49. This plastic concrete will drop into the space between the two forms 19 and |99. After this space has been lled with concrete' the lowermost one of the gates |44 may be swung?I across the chute |39, and a similar gate |44 swung across the lower portion of the chute or trough |49. i

This gate |44 willthen direct the plastic concrete onto the upper side of the inner upper form member 39 at a point above the outer form member |99. The screed members |49 will smooth the concrete as the frame structure I I9 is rotated, and 4when a suillcient amount of concrete has been discharged from the lower portion of the chute or trough |39 with the gate |44 in operative position, the next gate |44 above the lower gate may be moved to an operative position to provide for the discharge of the plastic concrete in a higher position. This operation will continue until the entire form 39 has been covered with concrete and the concrete smoothed by the several screed members |49.

After the concrete |49 has set, the ventilator structure, including the tubular member 9| and the hood, may be secured to the sleeve 51 after the removal o the frame structure ||9. With the ventilator structure in position, the housing 33 is then adapted to be covered by dirt |99 tov the desired depth, the dirt being flared out as at |5| about the lower portion of the housing 33. The increase in the depth of the dirt ISI about the lower portion of the housing 33 provides a means whereby in the event any explosion should occur which would destroy the housing 33, the increased depth of the dirt as shown at |9| will prevent the fragments of concrete from scattering to lateral points, whereas the substantially thin coating of dirt shown at |59 will permit the upper portion of the housing 33 to shatter and to be blown in a more vertical position.

The housing structure hereinbefore described has been designed particularly for the reception of explosives such as bombs, shells, powder or the like, and by providing a housing structure or magazine which is so constructed that it may be readily covered with dirt, the dirt covering the magazine may be sodded or otherwise provided with means for camouilaging the magazine. By providing an improved method of constructing the magazine or housing hereinbefore described, l the magazine or housing may bev easily and 'quickly constructed at any desired point, and if desired,

thereby providing a cushioning 'means to prevent the fragments of the housing from being thrown laterally or horizontally in an area close to the exploded housing. After the concrete has properly set, the interior form is removed and the exterior` form also removed, so that the housing will appear as shown in Figure 3.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for constructing and shaping a concrete dome shaped structure, comprising a longitudinally arcuate frame, wheels carried by the opposite ends of said frame, and an upright supporting post engaging the central portion of said frame.

2. Apparatus for constructing and shaping a concrete dome shaped structure comprising a longitudinally arcuate frame, traction means carried by the opposite ends of said frame. opposed concrete guiding troughs carried by said frame,

and a centrally disposed hopper extending above the inner ends of said troughs. g

3. Apparatus for constructing and lshaping a concrete dome shaped structure, comprising a longitudinally arcuate frame, traction'means carried by the opposite ends of said frame, opposed concrete guiding troughs carried by said frame, independently operable gates carried by each trough for discharging the concrete at predetermined points along the length of said frame, and a centrally disposed hopper extending above the inner ends of said troughs 4. Apparatus for constructing and shaping a concrete dome shaped structure comprising a longitudinally arcuate frame, traction means carried by the opposite ends of said frame, opposed concrete guiding troughs carried by said frame, a centrally disposed hopper extending above the inner ends of said troughs, and screed means dependingly carried by said frame.

5. Apparatus for constructing and shaping a concrete dome shaped structure, comprising a longitudinally arcuate frame, traction means carried by the opposite ends of said frame, said frame including opposed pairs of inwardly and upwardly convergent channel members, intersecting bracing members secured to said channel members, a longitudinally arcuate plate xed to the convergent ends of said pairs of channel members, a hopper extending upwardly from said plate. and a pair of troughs carried by said frame and extending from said hopper.

longitudinally arcuate frame, traction means carried by the opposite. ends of said frame, said frame including opposed pairs of inwardly and upwardly convergent channel members, intersecting bracing members secured4 to said channel members, a longitudinally arcuate plate xed .to the convergent ends of said pairs of channel members, a hopper extending upwardly from said plate, a pair of troughs carried by said frame and extending from said hopper, each trough having an opening in a side thereof between the ends thereof, and a gate movably carried by each trough for positioning across the trough adjacent said opening to thereby direct the plastic concrete through the opening.

7. Apparatus for constructing and shaping a concrete dome shaped structure comprising. a longitudinally arcuate frame, traction means carried by the opposite ends of said frame, said frame including opposed pairs of inwardly and upwardly convergent channel members, intersecting bracing members secured to said channel members, a longitudinally arcuate plate xed to the convergent ends of said pairs of channel members, a hopper extending upwardly from said plate, a pair of troughs carried by said frame and extending from said hopper, each trough having an open lower end and at least a pair of openings in a side thereof, and a pair of gates pivotally carried by each trough oppositely from said openings and swingable across the trough bottom to thereby direct the discharge of concrete through a. selected opening.

8. Apparatus for constructing and shaping a concrete dome shaped structure, comprising a longitudinally arcuate frame, traction means carried by the opposite ends of Said frame, said frame including opposed pairs of` inwardly and upwardly convergent channel members, intersecting bracing members secured to said channel members, a, longitudinally arcuate plate xed to the convergent ends of said pairs of channel members, a central supporting post, means supporting said post in upright position, means rotatably supporting said trame on the upper end of said post, a hopper extending upwardly from said plate, andga pair oi troughs carried by said frame and extending from said hopper.

LOUIS P. CORRETTA. 

